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2017-09-21

KINGS DEFEAT CANUCKS IN OPENER OF NHL CHINA GAMES

by Lisa Dillman @reallisa / NHL.com Staff Writer

SHANGHAI -- The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Vancouver Canucks 5-2 Thursday on a historic night at Mercedes-Benz Arena in the 2017 NHL China Games presented by O.R.G. Packaging.

Kings left wing Tanner Pearson scored twice in front of 10,088 fans in the first NHL game to be played in China. It's the first of a two-game preseason series between the Pacific Division rivals. 

The Kings scored twice in the first period, once in the second and twice in the third to back goaltender Jonathan Quick, who made 31 saves. Forwards Adrian Kempe and Jeff Carter and defenseman Alec Martinez scored for Los Angeles, and defenseman Jake Muzzin had three assists.

Pearson gave the Kings a 4-2 lead with 3:03 left when he scored on another breakaway, and Carter scored into an empty net with 51 seconds remaining.